Summary
- The MG-42 is a powerful Light Machine Gun that excels at close-to-mid range combat and is great for defending against enemies passing through.
- The M14 is a versatile rifle that can be used as a sniper rifle or an assault rifle, and its attachments make it one of the most adaptable weapons in the game.
- The AA12 is a semi-automatic shotgun that deals high damage in close-quarters combat, and players can unlock it by defeating the character Jackhammer near Port Cacao.
THQ Nordic's Jagged Alliance 3 sees players take command of a squad of Mercenaries as they seek to liberate the fictional African nation-state of Grand Chien from the rule of a tyrannical warlord. Along the way players will find plenty of weapons with which to combat "The Legion," and while much of their effectiveness may come down to the wielding Mercenary, there are some weapons that are, without a doubt, better than others.
From LMGs to Sniper Rifles, throwing knives to RPGs, there are plenty of tools available at the player's disposal for dispatching the game's varied enemies. Operating in a turn-based manner, much of the luck whether a shot will hit or not depends on the base statistics of the weapon being used.
10 MG-42
The MG-42 is a legendary WW2 weapon used by Axis forces, and later by paramilitary groups around Africa. This powerful Light Machine Gun has both a high ammo capacity and brutal damage, particularly from mid-to-close range. While not always the most accurate weapon, its ability to lockdown large zones and target enemies passing through it makes it a brilliant defensive weapon.
There are several ways in which players can obtain and operate an MG-42 in Jagged Alliance 3. Firstly, they can earn one by completing Basil's side quest in Ernie Village, which can then be kept or donated to the village's defense. Later, players can also find one at Fort L'eau Bleu, so it is not essential to keep the one from Basil.
9 M14
The M14 is a popular semi-automatic American rifle, ideal for taking out enemies at medium to long distances. With good damage capacity and range, and both single-shot and burst fire modes available, this diverse weapon is somewhere between a sniper rifle and an assault rifle.
With a number of unique attachments available for the M14, including a grenade launcher and sniper scope, it quickly becomes one of the most versatile weapons in the game, in the hands of any mercenary.
8 AA12
The AA12 is a powerful semi-automatic shotgun, sure to rip through anyone who gets within proximity of its barrel. A drum magazine ensures that reloading is needed less often than a conventional shotgun, sustaining high outputs of close-quarters damage for a prolonged duration.
In order to unlock the AA12, players will need to defeat and kill the character Jackhammer near the settlement of Port Cacao. Occasionally, the item will drop as random loot, so it can be found at various points in the game, but defeating Jackhammer is the most reliable method to obtain the AA12.
7 Beretta 92F
The Beretta 92F is a great pistol that is both powerful and versatile. Along with the Glock 18, it is one of the best pistols in Jagged Alliance 3, but where it excels over its counterparts is the fact that firing it will cost significantly less AP than other sidearms.
While still delivering a good balance of damage, accuracy, and reliability, the Beretta operates perfectly as a sidearm and is especially useful for characters in roles such as the Explosives Expert, since it leaves a free hand for them to use explosives too.
6 FAMAS
The FAMAS is a uniquely designed French assault rifle renowned for its accuracy and stopping power. In Jagged Alliance 3, it is no different, and coming across this weapon is a good sign indeed. With both decent damage stats combined with a longer range than many other rifles, the FAMAS represents one of the best assault rifles in the game.
A variety of attachments enable players to customize the FAMAS to a range of different specifications in order to suit certain characters' needs depending on their skills and specialties. The rifle will appear as a random drop throughout the game.
5 M82
The M82 is a high-caliber sniper rifle offering extreme power and precision at long range. One of the rarest available weapons in the game, this body-snatcher also has the highest damage output of any handheld, non-explosive weapon in the game.
The weapon can be acquired after players have completed the Refugee Camp event, after which they will have to search for a character named Corazon. In the fortress where Corazon is said to be located, players can find the M82 by searching the underground bunker.
4 HK21
The HK21 is a popular and highly effective German assault rifle from legendary manufacturers Heckler & Koch. The rifle offers a great balance of power and accuracy, and it is particularly effective when making full use of Jagged Alliance' s aiming mechanic.
Players can find the HK21 as a random drop, typically from more difficult, heavy weapons enemies. It is also the preferred weapon of choice for Ivan, one of the best available mercenaries in the game.
3 Mortar
The Mortar is a long-range explosives weapon that launches projectiles into the air, causing a devastating Area of Effect explosion on the desired target. Like most explosive weapons in the game, this can be used to either neutralize enemies or destroy cover and environmental obstacles.
Mortar ammunition is considerably easier to come by than the tubes used to fire them, but they can occasionally be found as loot drops from enemy soldiers. The downside of using Mortars is that it can take several turns for the shots to land, so enemies can move to avoid the impact if it is still early in the fight.
2 Minimi
The Minimi is a modified machine gun based on the US Army M249 SAW. Offering excellent firepower both on offense and using the Overwatch ability, the Minimi is easily the best LMG in the game thanks to its excellent range of stats and portability in the field.
Players can unlock this weapon along with the Mercenary Gus, whom players will encounter as they progress through the game's main story. Ideal for locking down chokepoints where enemies are likely to accumulate, this weapon is sure to thin the numbers out provided it is in the hands of a capable Marksman.
1 G36
The G36 is perhaps the best all-round weapon in Jagged Alliance 3, and it can be used by Mercenaries of any role to equal effect. The G36 is great in each of its firing modes and sustains decent accuracy even in fully automatic.
Players can find the G36 as a random loot drop from enemy soldiers as they progress through the game. While the G36 can be outperformed by some other assault rifles such as the AUG when they have been upgraded, the G36 performs better in its standard version.
Jagged Alliance 3 is available now on PC.